What is Typhoon Yagi? Impact and Casualties

Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7, 2024, with winds exceeding 200 km/h. The storm caused severe damage, triggering massive flooding, landslides, and damage to infrastructure, affecting several countries, leaving hundreds dead or missing.

Typhoon Yagi is a powerful tropical cyclone that has recently caused significant damage in Asia, especially in Vietnam. Considered the strongest storm in the region in 2024, Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7, 2024, with winds exceeding 200 km/h (about 124 mph) and has since weakened to a tropical depression. However, it still poses a risk of flooding and landslides as it moves westward.

Impact and Casualties

The typhoon caused catastrophic damage to several countries:

Vietnam: The earthquake caused great losses in Vietnam. As of September 11, the death toll has risen to at least 143, with another 58 missing. Floods and landslides occurred especially in the northern provinces, washing away more than 210,000 hectares of crops. Most bridges and power lines were destroyed, causing power outages in most areas for weeks, affecting millions of residents.

China: Typhoon Yagi hit Hainan Island and then reached Vietnam, killing at least three people and injuring many others. The storm caused power outages, destroyed many buildings and displaced about 400,000 residents.

Philippines: Typhoon Yagi also hit the Philippines earlier this week, killing at least 13 people and forcing evacuations due to flooding and landslides.

Weather classification

Yagi was classified as a super typhoon, almost similar to a Category 5 hurricane. This classification indicates that it can reach high wind speeds and cause considerable damage. Many attribute the storm to climate change, pointing out that warm water in the ocean promotes the formation of storms that are filled with enormous energy.

Current Status

Although Typhoon Yaki has weakened, authorities continue to monitor its residual impacts, particularly the risk of continued rainfall and further flooding. Communities in the worst-affected areas are beginning assessment and recovery, and evacuations and emergency responses are underway.

Although Typhoon Yagi has weakened, its aftermath, including continued rain and flooding, remains life-threatening. Affected areas in Vietnam, China and the Philippines are still struggling to recover from the massive destruction caused by the typhoon, and emergency relief efforts are still underway, sparking discussions about the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.